Sis faced off against the Undead Giant summoned by Kael, the neancer. She raised her arms, and from the ground, her pnt childre out thorny vioward the Undead Giant. These entwihemselves around the giant’s rotting limbs. Thorns pierced the unnatural flesh, creatiraints that sapped the undead creature’s strength.

  Sis then anded her pnt children to release a cloud of fine pollen into the air. This mist wafted around the battlefield, carrying with it the soporific essence of nature. The pollen infiltrated the senses of the Undead Giant, causing its movements to grow sluggish.

  Sis then made a barrier out of delicate mosaic of iwining leaves aals. This Photosynthesis Barrier absorbed the ambient sunlight, bathing her in its gentle warmth. Sis was revitalized by the life-giving energy of the surength and resilience surged, granting her an increased level of magical energy.

  Kael grinned. While his undead struggled, he did nothing. Sis, in trast, was ready t this battle to a decisive end. With her pnt children by her side, she unched a barrage of seed bsts rained down upon the Undead Giant. The giant’s already deteriorating form could no longer withstand the onsught.

  With each explosive impact, the Undead Giant disied, falling apart piece by pietil it was reduced to a pile of lifeless limbs and deg remnants.

  Kael’s grin widened. “You did well to rid the world of the Undead Giant,” he ented while slowly turning his gaze towards Sis. “You must have had a Dryad as a teacher.”

  Sis replied, “That’s none of your business.”

  Kael raised up one hand infront of himself. “Would it happen to be... Corrupt?”

  The mention of that name froze Sis iracks. She swallowed hard, her eyes betraying a sense of dread. “It wasn’t,” she mao utter with anger. “I would never be taught by the likes of her!”

  Kael responded with a creepy ugh. “That’s very dirty.”

  Roselle watched the exge between Sis and Kael with fasation. Risebelle, however, seemed a bit tenser. Runebelle remained quiet, but raised one hand up to the side of her face.

  Kael’ casted, “Skull Swarm…”

  A horde of spectral skulls materialized in the air above him. With a sinister grin, Kael directed the skulls to desd upon Sis. Their bony jaws snapped menagly.

  Sis summoned her pnt children to shield her from the spectral skulls. The skulls cshed with the thorny vines. In mere seds of the csh, the spectral skulls pierced through the thorny vines and pnt children. Sis gasped in shock .She cried out, “What...?”

  Kael’s lifeless words echoed through the arena, “Your power will never be as good as Curropt’s.”

  The grouh Sis began to quiver, and skeletal haed from the earth. These Hands of the Undead reached out and grabbed hold of Sis, restraining her with their cold, bony grip. Sis struggled against the undead appendages, but her efforts were futile.

  Kael raised his other hand and began to summon another Undead Giant. This one was even more massive than the previous, its deg form towered over the battlefield. The giant’s eyes glowed while lumbering toward Sis.

  Sis, trapped and uo move, looked on in terror towards the colossal creature prepared to strike. The Undead Giant raised its enormous, rotting arm and delivered a titanic ssh with a bde it wielded. The sheer force of the blow sent a shockwave through the arena. The ssh struck Sis with such impact that her eyes rolled back, and she crumpled to the ground.

  The arena fell into a stunned silence. Kael looked down at the fallen Sis with a cold, calg gaze. “Thanks for the magical energy, by the way.”

  The announcer looked stunned herself, but she quickly spoke in an incredulous tone. “Well, folks, I re we’ve just witnessed one of the most... dht intimidating dispys of power we’ve ever seen in this Grand Arena. Kael’s got himself a grip ole of ‘Master of the Undead’ after that one, no doubt about it. Absolutely bone-chilling!”

  With a flourish, the announcer tinued, “Now, we’re gonna start the 60-sed tdowo see if Sis make it back up! If Sis doesn’t get up by the time this red timer hits zero, Kael here will be decred the winner!”

  A red timer appeared on the arena’s giant ss, ting down the seds. The crowd watched in hushed anticipation to see if Sis would recover.

  Kael began to make his way out of the arena; however, the announcer shouted,“Hold on there, Kael! You gotta stick around ’til this timer runs out. If Sis doesn’t get ba her feet, you’ll be officially decred the winner. Patience is a virtue and all that, y’know?”

  Kael turned back to the arena, looking unbothered. “Trust me….she’s not getting back up after that one.”

  The audieched, puzzled and intrigued, as Kael retreated from the arena, leaving Sis behind.

  The tdown reached zero, and the announcer was about to speak, but Kael was already gone.

  The announcer was visibly irritated by Kael’s premature exit. She struggled to maintain her posure. “Kael took it upon himself to make a grand ol’ exit before we gave the official word. you believe that sh--”

  The announcer cleared her throat. “But hey, rules are rules, and that timer’s doicked its st tick. So, even with Kael’s little dash, the result stands. Kael’s walkin’ away as the winner of this match, whether he’s here or not!”

  Risebelle leaned over and whispered to Roselle, “Kael, he’s a neancer, Roselle, someone who deals with the dead and dark powers.”

  Roselle furrowed her brows. “Dark magic? Is that what he used against Sis?”

  Risebelle nodded. “Yes, dark magic often involves maniputih and the undead. It’s... well, while we entered Dark magic before, the Undead manipution, it’s not something we’ve entered before.”

  Runebelle, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke up. “I remember a game I used to py in my past life, Epic Quest: Realm of Shadows. It had neancers in it, and they could trol the undead. Maybe that’s what Kael is doing.”

  Risebelle and Roselle both turo Runebelle and spoke in unison. “You pyed that game too?”

  Runebelle nodded. “Yes, I did. Maybe what we know from the game help us uand how to deal with Kael.”

  Risebelle thought for a moment, then looked at Roselle. “You’ll have to be careful, Roselle. Kael’s powers are dangerous.”

  Roselle nodded. “I uand. If I have to fight him, I’ll figure out a way to beat him.”

  The announcer’s boomed throughout the Grand Arena. “Well, folks, that s up the first round of our Western Practice Tour. Ain’t it been a wild ride so far?”

  She paused for a beat, letting her words sink in. “Now, we’re takin’ a 30-minute breather to let hters catch their breath. So, grab yourself some grub, stretch those legs, a refady for the sed round. We’ve still got plenty more a in’ your way, y’all!”

  With that, the crowd iands began to stir. Some went for the refreshment stands, while others engaged in discussions about the battles they had just witnessed.

  At a small table in a er where attendees were enjoying their break, Roselle sat with her sundae, indulging in the sweet treat with delight. She took another spoonful of the creamy desert and savored its deliciousness.

  Risebelle sat with her arms folded and lowered eyes. She watched Roselle devour her sundae. “I don’t see how you eat all of that,” she remarked, eyeing the mountain of ice cream and toppings with a hint of disdain.

  Roselle,with a spoon in her hand, beamed at Risebelle. “It’s so yummy! You should try some. e on, just a little taste won’t hurt.”

  With a pyful grin, Roselle scooped up a spoonful aly held it up to Risebelle’s mouth. Risebelle hesitated for a moment before relutly taking a bite. The sweetness of the su her taste buds, and she blinked in surprise. “Huh, that actually isn’t half bad,” she said with a slight flush appearing on her cheeks.

  Roselle ughed softly. “See? I told you!”

  Risebelle shook her head. “I still don’t want any more. We only o eat once a day, and I want to make my meal t.”

  Roselle shrugged. “You worry too much. It’s okay to indulge a little now and then. Besides, a little bit of sweetness never hurt anyone.”

  Risebelle suppress a small chuckle. “Maybe you’re right. But I still prefer to save my appetite for something more substantial.”

  Kintovar leaned forward with her pink headphones resting on her neck. She addressed the sisters in a firm tone. “Alright, team. The round is crucial, and Roselle, you’re the one who’s made it this far. We don’t know who your oppo will be until it’s announced, but we o be prepared for any ohey decide to pair you against.”

  She g Rosell with fidence. “You’ve got great potential, and we’ve seen yrowth. Remember what we’ve been practig – your focus, your strategy, and, of course, your power.”

  Juliana from nearby nodded and added, “And remember, you have the support of your sisters and the guidance of your creator Kintovar. You’ve got this.”

  Roselle, still sav her sundae, looked up at her mentor and sister. “I’ll do my best, Dr.Kintovar, Juliana. I won’t let you down.”

  Kintovar nodded. She allowed Roselle to take another spoonful of her suhen raised a finger. “Roselle, remember when your on was destroyed ba the South? I know it was like losing a panion for you, and I uand how much it meant to you.”

  Roselle’s gaze grew distant as she recalled that painful memory. “Yeah, it was tough. That on had been with me for a long time, and it felt like a part of me.”

  Kintovar tinued, “Well, sihen, I’ve made a breakthrough in redesigning your on. You used it in your match against Risebelle, but I’m sure you didn’t feel much of a differen using it yet. The real test will be in the uping rounds, especially against tough oppos like Kael and Rawna.”

  Juliana chimed in. “Your bond with that on is essential, Roselle. The e you have with it make all the differen a match. We’ll make sure you’re pletely fortable with the new design before your fight.”

  Roselle nodded “I know, and I appreciate it. I’ll make sure tthen that bond and use the on to its fullest potential. I won’t let you down, and I won’t let my on dowher.”

  Haras, with her bubblegum-colored hair approached the table with a sundae in her hands. With a mischievous grin, Haras suddenly reached out and plucked Risebelle from her seat, setting her down on her own p.

  Risebelle was taken by surprise and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Haras, what in the hell do you think you’re doing?” Risebelle stammered.

  Haras chuckled and wi Risebelle. “Well, my favorite creation deserves a sweet reward, even if she didn’t win her match. It’s ice cream time, Risebelle!” With that, she scooped up a spoonful of the sundae and brought it close to Risebelle’s mouth.

  Risebelle sputtered in protest, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. “Haras, this is ridiculous! I don’t need you to feed me! No! Stop!”

  Haras pyfully raised an eyebrow. “Oh, e on, Risebelle. Live a little bit! You’re always so serious. Even if it’s just for a moment, let yourself enjoy something simple.”

  Risebelle’s eyes narrowed. “If you don’t stop embarrassing me right now, I swear I’ll never help you with your missions again.”

  Haras’ shifted dramatically. She clutched her chest and spoke in a melodramatiner. “Oh no, not my beloved Risebelle threatening to abandon me! Whatever shall I do?”

  Risebelle chuckled softly. “I was just kidding, Haras.”

  Haras’s eyes gleamed mischievously. She Risebelle off guard. “Gotcha!” With a swift motion, she scooped up another spoonful of sundae a to Risebelle with a triumphant grin.

  Roselle watched the exge with amusement. She let out a giggle at the se.

  Little did they know, in the shadows not far from the table, Chal watched the group from within the shadows. His keen eyes focused on Roselle, Risebelle, Kintovar, and Haras while the three chatted and shared their sundaes. He remained hidden, them discreetly.